Magneto



J. R. FREI 2,483,632

MAGNETO Ost. 4, 1949.

Filed March 3, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lol' mvENToR Lime Eu; BY

j'. www ATTORNEY J. R. FREI oct. 4, 1949.

MAGNETO Filed 4March s, 1942 l L2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll-J.

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Patented Oct. 4, 1949 MAGNETO Jakob R. Frei, Sidney, N. Y., assignor toBendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a corporation ot DelawareApplication March 3, 1942, Serial No. 433.175

20 Claims. (Cl. 171-209) This invention relates to ignition apparatusand more particularly to current-generating and distributing meansadapted for use in connection ,with internal combustion engines.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novelmagneto-generator adapted for use in the ignition system of an internalcombustion engine.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for connectinga source of booster current in the distributor circuit of an ignitionsystem.

A further object is to provide novel currentgenerating means forenergizing the dual ignition system of a bank of cylinders of aninternal combustion engine. v

Still another object is to provide a magneto having a novelly mountedignition coil and novel means for effecting the connections between saidcoil and a distributor.

A still further object is to provide a. magneto for energizing a dualignition system, said magneto comprising novel means for mounting anddriving a pair of distributors. l

Another object is to provide a magneto wherein the parts are novellyconstructed and assembled so that inspection and adjustment thereof aregreatly facilitated and so that the length as well as the number ofelectrical leads within the magneto casing are materially reduced.

Still another object is to provide a magneto equipped with novel meansfor housing the motion-transmitting means, for example, between therotor and distributor.

Another object is to provide a magneto embodying novel Ventilating meansfor the interior thereof.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the following detailed description when the sameis read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration only and are not intended to define the limits of theinvention, reference for this latter purpose being primarily had to theappended claims. I

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a, side elevation, mostly in section and with parts brokenaway, illustrating one form of magneto embodying the present invention,the section being taken substantially along line |l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of said magneto taken substantially alongline 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, mostly in section and with parts brokenaway, the section being taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;and

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, and shown in sectionto illustrate a form i of booster connection embodied in the presentinvention.

The single embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, by way of example only, is a magneto adapted for energizingthe dual ignition system of a bank of cylinders of an internalcombustion engine. As shown, the same comprises a main housing or casing5 having secured thereto similarly shaped top and bottom cover plates 6and an end cover plate 8. Attached to the end of said housing oppositecover plate 8 is a plate 9 which constitutes a support for the magnetorotor. Means are also provided at this end for securing the magneto tothe engine casing (not shown), said means comprising a depending flangeI0 having slots II therein for engaging suitable supports on said enginecasing and a threaded bore I2 for receiving a screw or stud boltextending through a portion of the engine casing. Bore I2 is Preferablyprovided in a separate hardened member I3 threaded or otherwise securedto housing 5.

Mounted in the central part of housing 5 with the axis thereof extendinghorizontally is a rotor shaft I4 suitably journalled in bearings I9 and20. Bearing I9, as shown, is supported in the end wall of housing 5adjacent plate 9, while bearing 20 is mounted in a plate member 2| whichis supported within said housing.

One end of shaft I4 extends through plate 9 and suitable means 22 aremounted on said end whereby said shaft may be coupled to the enginedriving member (not shown) in the engine casing. Member 22 is preferablyadjustably connected to the rotor shaft, such as by means of adjustablecoupling means 22a of the type disclosed in Spengler U. S. Patent No.2,266,283. Mounted on shaft I4 between `bearings I9 and 20 is' amultiple pole magnetic rotor 23 comprising a cylindricalcircumerentially magnetized permanent magnet and laminated soft ironpole shoes adapted to cooperate in a manner well-known in the art withtwo pairs of laminated stator pole pieces 24, each pair of said polepieces extending in diametrically opposite directions from said rotor toconnect with one of the cores 25 of two ignition coils 26, which aremounted in housing 5 on opposite sides of said rotor in a novel mannermore fully described hereafter. Mounted on the right end of shaft I4, asviewed in Fig. 1, is a circuit breaker cam 21 adapted to actuate twocircuit breaker umts 28, only one being shown in Fig. 1, said unitsbeing disposed on opposite sides of said cam and comprising the usualcontacts which are adapted to be periodically opened by the rotation ofsaid cam. 'I'he circuit breakers may be of any suitable, well-knownconstruction and, hence, are not shown in detail. For the purpose ofadjustment, the circuit breakers may be adjustably mounted on a plate28a which may in turn be mounted for angular adjustment on plate 2|. Apair of condensers 29 are operatively mounted in housing 5 above circuitbreaker units 28 and are connected across the circuit breaker points inthe two current-generating systems energized by rotor i4, each of saidsystems comprising a pair of stator poles 24, one of coils 26 and one ofcircuit breaker units 28. Since the corresponding parts of the twocurrent-generating systems are alike and similarly mounted, only one isdescribed in detail and like numerals are applied to like parts of thetwo systems.

Coil 26, which includes the usual primary and secondary windings mountedin a casing of insulating material, has one end of each of said windingsgrounded and the ungrounded end of the primary winding connected by acable 30 to the insulated contact of circuit breaker 28 and to theinsulated or ungrounded terminal of condenser 29 in a. manner well-knownin the art, whereby the contacts of the circuit breaker are connected inseries with the primary winding and in shunt with the condenser. Novelmeans are provided for mounting coil 26 to insure a good connectionbetween the ends of core 25 and the ends of stator poles 24 and torender said coil readily removable for inspection. As shown, a plate 3|of pressed fiber or other suitable material encompasses said coil in aplane substantially parallel to the axis of the coil, said plate havingoverlapping engagement with laminae 25a at opposite sides of core 25.Plate 3| has the edges thereof'l engaging an under-cut portion of theinner face of cover plate 6 and is rigidly secured to said cover plateby suitable means, such as rivets or screws 32. The ends of core 25 areset in suitable recesses (not shown) formed in cover 6 so that the coil261s supported and held in spaced relation to the walls of said cover.The space around the coil is preferably filled with a suitableinsulating compound 33, such as a polymer of cashew-nut-shelloil. Theouter surfaces of the ends of core 25 are machined in the same plane asthe edge of the open face of cover plate 6 so that when the latter issecured to housing 5, the ends of core 25 engage the ends of statorpoles 24, thereby making a good contact and completing the magnetic paththrough the rotor.

Connected to the ungrounded'end of the Second winding of coil 26 is anovel terminal comprising a socket 34, which is preferably formedseparately from the coil housing and which opens in the direction of theinterior of housing 5. To securely position said socket in cover plate6, an external shoulder 35 is preferably formed thereon for engagementwith plate 3|. Mounted at the bottom of said socket to connect with theoutput end of the secondary or high tension winding of the coil is ametallic contact 36.

Extending transversely through housing 5 is a distributor shaft 31 (Figsl and 2) Journaled in a pair of bearings 38 and drivably connected torotor shaft i4 by suitable drive means comprising a pair of intermeshinghelical gears 40 and 4| keyed or otherwise secured to shafts |4and 31.respectively. It is to be understood that shaft 31, which is shownmounted above shaft |4 to extend on both sides of the latter, could beformed in two sections for rotation about an axis which intersects withthe axis of said rotor shaft, said sections being disposed on oppositesides of the latter shaft and being connected therewith, for example, bybevel gear drives.

To maintain gears 40 and 4| properly lubricated and to prevent leakageof the lubricating oil, a transmission chamber 42 is formed in housing 5for containing said gears, and suitable oil seals 43 (Fig. l) aremounted on shaft I4 on opposite sides of gear 40 while oil seals 44(Fig. 2) are mounted on shaft 31 on opposite sides of gear 4|, therebypreventing oil from escaping from chamber 42 along either of saidshafts. Chamber 42 is normally filled with lubricating oil to a levelbelow the axis of rotation of shaft I4 and novel means are provided forpreventing the building up of pressures in excess of atmospheric withinsaid chamber. As shown, said means comprise an axial passage 45extending substantially centrally through shaft i4 and communicating atone end with the exterior of the magneto housing. Connecting passage 45with the interior of chamber 42 are a pair of radial passages 46 and 41which are preferably axially spaced and extend in diametrically oppositedirections from passage 45. Accordingly, when shaft 4 is stationary, oneof passages 46 and 41 has the outer end thereof immersed in thelubricating oil while the other has the outer end thereof communicatingwith the air space in chamber 42 above said oil and, therefore, connectssaid space to the atmosphere on the exterior of the magneto housing,thereby maintaining the pressure in said chamber equal to theatmospheric pressure surrounding the magneto. During operation, whenshaft |4 is rotating, oil is prevented from escaping through passages 46and 41 into passage 45 because of the effect of centrifugal action onoil which tends to enter the radial passages. If desired, the passages45-41 may be incorporated in shaft 31, so that more oil may be retainedin chamber 42 when the magneto sets in the position illustrated in thedrawings.

A pair of housings 48 and 49 (Fig. 2) containing the distributors aresecured to main casing 5 by suitable means, such as screws 50, onopposite sides of said casing so as to receive the ends of shaft 31,each housing having a sleeve-like pilot portion 5| extending into anopening in casing 5. Current distributor mechanisms 52 mounted in saidhousings are preferably of like construction and are similarly connectedto opposite ends of shaft 31 and to the above-described dualcurrentgenerating systems, and accordingly only one of said mechanismsis hereafter described in detail.

Mounted on the end of shaft 31 and drivably connected thereto by meansof an adjustable coupling 53 similar to coupling 22a is a rotatabledistributor element or iinger 54 comprising a mounting plate or hub 55to which is secured an insulating block 56. Molded in the latter on theaxis of rotation thereof is a centercontact 51 which is electricallyconnected to a conductor 58 also molded in said insulating block.Cooperating with said rotatable element is a stationary distributorblock 59 carried by a supporting member 6|) which also serves as thecover plate for the distributor housing and forms one end of aradio-shielding harness manifold.' Member 88 preferably comprises aplate 82 secured by suitable means, such as screw 83 to the housing 48,and an outlet sleeve 84 integrally formed with said plate to constitutea portion of the manifold for leads 88, each of said leads beingconnected at one end to one of the distributor contacts 88 and at theother end to one of the spark plugs of the engine ignition system. Amass 81 of suitable insulating material, such as polymerizedcashew-nut-sheli-oil, fills the interior of cover 88 between the latterand block 58 as well as the interior of sleeve 84, said coinpound beingpreferably introduced in liquid form after leads 85 (one for eachterminal 88) have been connected to contacts 88 and said block has beensecured to said cover.

Distributor block 89 may be constructed in any conventional manner butis preferably'molded with internally threaded metallic tubes 88circularly arranged therein, said tubes being adapted to threadedlyreceive contacts 68 and terminal pins 88, the latter cooperating withcontact 58 of the rotatable element 54 in a manner wellknown in the art.Molded in block 59 at the center thereof is a metallic sleeve 18 havinga contact pin 1| mounted therein for limited reciprocable movement and aspring member 12 located between the inner end of said contact pin andthe bottom of said sleeve for biasing said contact into slidingengagement with central contact 51 of block 58. A metallic strip 13(Fig. 3) of suitable conducting material is also embedded in block 59and has one end thereof electrically connected to sleeve 18 (Fig. 2)while the other end thereof forms the base of a socket 14 (Fig. 3)formed in said block near the periphery thereof.

Novel means are provided for electrically connecting conductor 13 to theungrounded end of the secondary winding of coil 28, said means insuringgood contact, preventing flashovers and permitting the ready removalfrom main housing 5 of the ignition coil unit and member 88 with block59. As shown, said means (Fig. 3) comprises an insulated conductor orcable 15 having one end thereof extending into a connector plug 18,which preferably includes an insulating sleeve 11, said sleeve beingadapted to receive said conductor and means electrically connected tothe end of the latter and to a fiat contact spring 18. A bracket 19rigidly secured to the distributor housing, for example, by a screw 88has an annular portion 8| through which conductor 15 passes, saidannular portion being provided with an internal flange 82. Sleeve 11abuts against one face of said flange and is supported in asubstantially horizontal position by said bracket in alignment withsocket 14. Accordingly, when cover member 88 is operatively secured tothe magneto housing, contact spring 18 engages contact 13 at the base ofsocket 14 and thereby connects one end of cable 15 to the center contact1| .of block 59. Mounted in the annular portion 8| of bracket 19opposite sleeve 11 for engagement with the other annular face of flange82 is one end of a metallic elbow 83, which is supported at its otherend in a bracket 84 secured by a screw 85 to main housing 5, the latterbracket being similar to bracket 19 and having the annular portionthereof substantially aligned with socket 34. Cable 15 extends throughelbow 83 and brackets 19 and 84 and is secured in a connector plug 88,which is similar in structure and operation to connector plug 18, theformer connector being held by bracket 84 so as to extend into .socket34 and connect the end of said cable to contact 38 at the base of saidsocket.

The internal diameters of the insulating sleeves of plugs 18 and 88 andelbow 83 are preferably greater than the external diameter of cable 15,and the annular space surrounding said cable as a result thereof isfilled with a mass 88a of suitable insulating compound, such aspclymerized cashew-nut-shell-oil. This is preferably accomplished byassembling brackets 19 and 84, plugs 18 and 88, elbow 83 and cable 15 inoperative relation to each other and then, through the threaded recessesin said brackets, forcing the insulating compound, under pressure and inliquid form, into the assembled structure. When the compound hardens,the assembly becomes bonded into a unitary structure, which is securedas a unit in the magneto housing by screws 88 and 85` It is to be notedthat this unit automatically makes contact betweencoil 28 anddistributor 52 when cover plates 8 and 82 are operatively positioned onthe magneto housing and that said cover plates may be removed withoutthe necessity of making any electrical disconnections except cable 38.

A source of booster current is connected in one of theA two ignitionsystems of the abovedescribed dual ignition magneto unit and novel meansare provided for carrying out the connection, said means, as shown,being mounted for cooperation with the current-distributing mechanismcontained in housing 48. An annular block 81 of insulating material,such as Bakelite or hard rubber, surrounds hub portion 55 of rotatabledistributor element 54 and is rigidly secured to the inner face ofhousing 48, being located between said housing and nger 58. Block 81 ispreferably cup-shaped with an annular flange 88 disposed between theperiphery of finger 58 and the side wall of housing 48. Molded in block81 is a metallic ring 89, which has a plurality of contact extensions 98thereon, said extensions projecting from said block on the side thereoffacing block 58 and each of said extensions being located opposite oneof contacts 89. If desired, of course, the projecting portions 98 mayform a continuous ring or be divided into any desired number of arcs,preferably having a radius equal to the distance of terminal 58 from theaxis of rotation of finger 54.

Booster current is fed from contact members 98 to contacts 89 through asuitable conducting element 9| carried by block 58, said elementextending axially through said block to project beyond both sidesthereof. Element 9| is preferably mounted in advance of terminal 58 andp is located the same radial distance from the axis of rotation of block58 as said terminal so as to move in the same circular path as thelatter. Accordingly, whenever element 9| is disposed between one ofextensions 98 and one of contacts 89, booster current is fed through thedistributor block to one of the spark plugs.

To connect a source of booster current to ring 89, novel means areprovided and comprise la socket 92 (Fig. 4) molded as an integral partof block;81, said socket being located within a portion 93 of housing 48projecting beyond the circular periphery of said housing. A metallicinsert 84 molded in said block at the base of said socket is internallyconnected by a conducting strip 95 to ring 89, said strip, in the form92 is in axial alignment with a pair of openings annessi in the sides ofhousing portion 99 and with threaded bushings 9B and 96a which dennesaid openings. A plug connector 91, which constitutes an extension of ashielded cable 99 and may be of any suitable, well-known construction,slidably extends through left-hand bushing 99, as viewed in Fig. 4, intoone end of socket 92 for contact with insert 94, said connector beingheld in position by a nut 99 threaded onto bushing 96 exteriorally ofhousing portion 93. Cable 98 is connected to a suitable source of hightension current, as for` example a booster coil (not shown). The socketfor plug 91 comprises, in addition to the recess 92 in block 81, aninsulating tube 92a which extends from bushing 96 into said recess andis held in contact with block 81 by a spring 91a.

Bushing 96a, as shown, has a cap |00 threaded thereon although when twoor more of the abovedescribed magnetos are being used on a singleengine, it may be desirable to connect the booster circuits thereof inparallel and to a single source of booster current, in which event acable connector may also be plugged in through bushing 96a for contactwith insert 94 at the base of the right-hand socket 92, 92a. The cablefrom said connector may then be supported by a bracket on the upper endof housing 49, said cable extending therefrom to the booster socket ofthe next magneto to connect therewith in a manner similar to cable 98.

For the purpose of Ventilating the distributor housings 48 and 49 and,hence, casing 5, novel simplified means are provided whereby water andother foreign matter are effectively prevented from entering with theair stream irrespective of the position of the magneto. As shown, eachof said Ventilating means comprises a pair of spaced, parallel walls |0|(Figs. 1, 3 and 4) which stand out from and are preferably integral withthe wall of the distributor housing. Between and spaced from slightlybulged portions of said walls is a projecting boss |02 through thecenter of which a passage |03 is bored to the interior of the casing. Athin plate |04 is secured to the top edges of walls, such as by screws,and the outer end of said boss is slightly spaced therefrom, as bestseen in Fig. l. Thus, air may enter from either end of the enclosureI0|, |04 and pass into the magneto casing through passage |03, the waterand other particles being stopped by the boss |02.

There is thus provided novel apparatus adapted for use in the ignitionsystem of an internal combustion engine for generating and distributinghigh tension current to the engine spark plugs. Novel means are providedin said apparatus for mounting the ignition coils and for electricallyconnecting the same to the distributor. Additionally, means are novellycombined with the distributor for supplying a booster current to theengine spark plugs when the generating means is ineffective. Themagneto-distributor unit provided also incorporates a novel connectionand means for lubricating the same between the magneto rotor and thedistributor fingers. The unit also embodies novel Ventilating meanswhereby effective ventilation is obtained without the entrance offoreign matter with the air.

.Although only a single embodiment of the invention is illustrated anddescribed in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the inventionis not limited thereto. For example, the inventions may be embodied in astructure hav- I ing a diierent type of rotor or breaker mech- 8 anismsand various changes may be readily made in the design and arrangement ofparts illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as the same will now be g understood by those skilled in theart. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference is hadprimarily to the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In apparatus of the class described, a cuing, amagnetic rotor rotatably mounted in said casing, means at one end of therotor shaft for operatively connecting the rotor to the drive member ofan engine, cam means on the other end of said shaft, a pair of circuitbreakers mounted in said casing for operation by said cam, a pair ofignition coils mounted in metallic covers removably secured to saidcasing on opposite sides of said rotor, means connecting the primarywindings of said coils in circuit-with said circuit breakers, statormeans magnetically connecting the cores of said coils with said rotor, apair of ignition distributors disposed on opposite sides of the rotorshaft at substantially right angles to the sides on which said coils aredisposed, each of said distributors comprising a rotatable distributorfinger and a stationary distributor block having a central terminal anda plurality of circularly arranged terminals embedded therein forcooperation with said finger, means drivably connecting said distributorfingers w said rotor shaft whereby said fingers are rotated about anaxis extending at right angles to the axis of rotation of said shaft,saidblocks being secured in metallic covers removably mounted on saidcasing, each of said blocks having a socket therein and an electricalconductor connected to the central Iterminal thereof and terminating insaid socket, a socket associated with each of said coils in which thesecondary winding of the coil terminates, and conducting means securedin said casing and having plug portions slid-ably extending into saidsockets for operatively connecting the secondary windings of each ofsaid coils to the conductor in one of said blocks.

2. In ignition apparatus vof the class described, a casing, a magneticrotor rotatably mounted in said casing, means at one end of the shaft ofsaid rotor for drivably connecting the same to a source of power, a pairof ignition coils mounted in said casing, one of said coils beingmounted above said rotor and the other below said rotor, means includingsaid rotor for energizing said coils to produce high tension current inthe secondary windings thereof, an ignition distributor connected to thesecondary winding of each of said coils, said distributors beingdisposed on opposite sides of said rotor, and means for drivablyconnecting the rotatable parts of said distributors to said rotor shaftat a point between said rotor and said one end of said rotor shaftwhereby said rotatable parts are rotated about an axis extending atright angles to the axis of rotation of said rotor shaft.

3. In ignition apparatus of the class described, a casing, a rotorrotatably mounted in said casing, means at one end of the rotor shaftfor 0D- eratively connecting the same to the drive member of an engine,circuit breaker means including a cam on said rotor shaft mounted insaid casing at the other end of said shaft, a pair of ignition coilsmounted in said casing, one of said coils being above and the otherbelow said rotor, means including said rotor for energizing said coilsto produce a high tension current in the 75 secondary windings thereof,a distributor conaasaea Y nected to the secondary winding of each ofsaid coils, said distributors being mounted on opposite sides of saidrotor, and means operatively connected with said rotor shaftintermediate the said secondary winding terminates, a metallic 1 coverremovably mounted over an opening in said casing, means for securingsaid coil and socket in said cover for removal therewith, a distributorcomprising an insulating distributor block having a socket therein and aconductor terminating in said socket, a second metallic cover, means forremovably securing the latter over an opening in said casing, means forsecuring said block in said second cover for removal therewith, andconducting means secured in said casing independently of said covers andhaving insulating plug `portions at opposite ends thereof adapted .toslida-bly extend into said sockets for conducting high tension currentfrom said secondary winding to said distributor conductor, both of saidcovers being removable without disturbing said conducting means.

5. In ignition apparatus of the class described, a casing, a magneticrotor mounted in said casing, an ignition distributor comprising adistributor block removably mounted in said casing, said block having asocket formed therein and an electrical conductor terminating in saidsocket, an ignition coil removably mounted in said casing andoperatively associated with said rotor, a socket adjacent said coil andremovable therewith, the secondary winding of said coil ter.. minatingin said last-named socket andthe longitudinal axes of said socketsextending lat right angles to each other, and a double-ended plusconnector adapted to slide into and out of said sockets when said pl-ugconnector and ignition coil are installed or removed, whereby saidsecondary winding and said conductor are electrically connected.

6. In ignition apparatus of the class described, a casing, a magneticrotor mounted in said casing, an ignition coil mounted in a cover whichis removably secured to said casing, means inoluding said rotor forenergizing said coil, a socket secured in said cover ladjacent saidcoil, the secondarywinding of said coil terminating in the base of saidsocket, an 'ignition distributor comprising an insulating socket mountedin a cover removably secured ,to said casing, and a double-ended plugconnector mounted in said casing so that the ends thereof slidablyextend into said sockets when said covers are being installed inposition on the casing, whereby-said coil and distributor areelectrically connected.

7. In a magneto for the ignition system of an internal combustionengine, a casing having an opening therein, a magnetic rotor in saidcasing, a metallic cover for sai.; opening removably sen cured to saidcasing, a pair of stator poles in said casing operatively associatedwith said rotor, and an ignition coil mounted in said cover for removaltherewith, the core of said coil having portions extending from oppositeends of said coil for abutting engagement with the ends of said statorpoles, the engaging surfaces of said core and poles being in the sameplane as the engaging surfaces of said cover and casing.

8. In a magneto, a casing having an opening therein, a cover for saidopening removably secured to said casing, an ignition coil havingprimary and secondary windings secured in said cover and removabletherewith, a socket for a plug connector mounted in said cover adjacentsaid coil with the end of said secondary winding terminating therein,and means in said casing for energizing said coil to induce a hightension current in said secondary winding.

9. In a magneto, a casing having an opening therein, a cover for saidopening removably secured to said casing, an ignition coil mounted insaid cover for removal therewith, a socket for a plug connector mountedin said cover adjacent said coil, and a solid insulating materialillling the space in said cover around said coil and socket.

10. In ignition apparatus of the class described, a casing, an ignitiondistributor element mounted in said casing comprising a plurality ofcircularly disposed insulating terminals and a rotating element adaptedto successively cooperate with said terminals to conduct high tensioncurrent thereto, a stationary insulating block mounted in said casingand disposed on the opposite side of said rotating element from saidterminals, a conducting ring embedded in said block, an insulatingconducting member extending from one side of said rotating element tothe other for cooperation at one end with said circularly disposedterminals and at the other end with said conducting ring, said blockhaving a double-ended socket formed in a radially extending portionthereof in which a portion of said conducting ring terminates, and meansfor connecting said conducting ring to a source of high tension currentfrom either end of said socket, said means including a connector plugextending into said socket and removably secured to said casing.

11. In ignition apparatus of the class described, a casing, an ignitiondistributor in said casing and means for ventilating said casingcomprising a boss projecting beyond the outer surface of said casing,said boss having an opening extending from the outer end thereof to theinterior of said casing, a pair of relatively vertical flanges extendingoutwardly from said casing on opposed sides and spaced from said boss,and a plate extending across the space between the outer edges of saidilanges, said plate being spaced only a short distance from the outerend of said boss.

12. In ignition apparatus of the class described, a magneto housing, arotor having a shaft mounted in said housing, means on said rotor shaftfor drivably connecting the same to a driving member of an internalcombustion engine inside the engine casing, said shaft extending througha compartment in said housing, a distributor shaft extending into saidcompartment, means for drivably connecting said shafts in saidcompartment, means surrounding said shafts for sealing said compartmentagainst leakage, and means for ventilating said compartment comprisingan axially extending passage in said rotor shaft communicating with theinterior of said engine casing and two oppositely directed radiallyextending passages in said rotor shaft connecting said axially extendingpassage to the interior of said compartment.

13. In a magneto, crossed rotatable shafts, distributors at the ends ofone of said shafts having parts rotated by said shaft, driving means anda 1 l circuit breaker operatively connected at the ends of the other ofsaid shafts, and motion transmitting means connecting said shaftsintermediate the ends thereof.

14. In a magneto having two rotatable distributor parts, a rotatablepower transmitting part, and a rotatable circuit breaker part, crossedshafts operatively connected intermediate their ends for coordinatedrotation and operatively connectedat each end to one of said rotatableparts.

15. In a magneto, a plurality of electrical parts fixedly mounted inremovable parts of the inagneto casing and electrically connected tosockets similarly mounted, and means for electrically connecting thesaid parts comprising electrically -interconnected plugs mounted on thecasing and adapted to make electrical connection with the said socketson assembling the said parts.

16. In a magneto, a plurality of electrical parts xedly mounted inremovable parts of the magneto casing and electrically connected tosockets similarly mounted, and means for electrically connecting thesaid parts comprising electrically interconnected plugs mounted on thecasing and adapted to make electrical connection with the said socketson assembling the said parts, said interconnected plugs comprising splitprotective sleeves abutting a shoulder in a supporting bracket.

17. A distributor having opposed terminals mounted in spaced, xed partsand a movable part with oppositely disposed and electrically connectedterminals adapted to rotate between said parts and cooperate with saidfixed terminals, means to supply the terminals of one of said xed partswith booster current, and moans to connect the terminals of the other ofsaid fixed parts to electrical apparatus adapted to use the saidcurrent.

18. A distributor according to the preceding claim in which the saidmeans to supply the terminals includes a jack for withdrawal of energy.

19. In a multicylinder magneto having a frame, generator mechanismincluding a rotatable shaft and a stationary -ignition coil, distributormechanism which includes a rotatable shaft geared to the generator shaftand a distributor electrode fast on the distributor shaft and which alsoincludes a plurality of stationary electrodes sequentially cooperativewith the distributor electrode, and a connector which extends whollyinteriorly of the magneto frame from the coil and past the generatorshaft to the distributor electrode and which comprises a stationarycross conductor electrically connected to the coil and a sta- 12 tionaryconducting member in continuous electrical connection with both thedistributor electrode and the conductor.

20. In a multicylinder magneto having a frame, generator mechanismincluding a rotatable shaft and a stationary ignition coil, distributormechanism which includes a rotatable shaft geared to the generator shaftand a distributor electrode fast on the distributor shaft and which alsoincludes a plurality of stationary electrodes sequentially cooperativewith the distributor electrode in sparking connection therewith, and aconnector which extends wholly interiorly of the magneto frame from thecoil and past the generator shaft to the distributor electrode and whichcomprises a stationary conductor electrically connected to the coil anda stationary conducting member in brush connection with the conductorand in operative electrical connection with the distributor electrode.

JAKOB R. FREI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

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